A/N - A HUGE thank you to Snugglejunkie who is kindly giving up free time to edit, read over and tweak this story. My friend, you are one god damn talented genius! ~50sPuGirl
*Trigger warnings - This story touches and mentions issues dealing with - Drug Use, Abuse and Withdrawal. If you'd rather not read that then you may want to skip parts of this chapter and story.*
CHAPTER ONE
Regina needed some air. She glanced over her shoulder at the people milling about the exhibition, her life's work so far, all pre-occupied with the expensive canapes and champagne flutes. Her chest burned. She had to escape, just for a while. She took this rare moment and ran with it.
The gallery was full of people who were too occupied with their inflated sense of self-worth to notice her getaway, just like they had failed to notice that she on the verge of a panic attack. She pulled at the collar of her black turtleneck to relieve some of the tightness as she pushed on the metal bar that opened to the fire escape. Slipping out into the small alley way that ran adjacent to the small gallery, she felt instantly better, finally having the air that she needed to breathe.
Pushing the door to, Regina glanced up the alley as she pulled out the small box of cigarettes that had been tucked in her back pocket. Flipping the lid, she tilted the box and a cigarette inched its self out. Bringing it to her lips, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small throw-away lighter, flicked the wheel, and a flame appeared. Bringing it up to the end of the cigarette, the flame licked the end and sparked the cigarette to life. She inhaled deeply, taking the first lug. Regina's consciousness applauded the instant relief as she then blew out a long and satisfied breath. The smoke encircled her as she leant against the brick wall and enjoyed the cigarette in silence and in peace.
The tranquillity would soon be ruined when the fire escape door burst open, causing Regina to jump a little at the interruption.
"There you are, dear..." purred the voice of the tall blonde, standing imperiously in the doorway.
Regina rolled her eyes and shrugged a little as she brought the cigarette up to her lips and took another drag. "Just give me five minutes, Mal."
The leggy blonde step out of the doorway and walked across the small alley way to Regina. Plucking the cigarette from the brunette's lips, she brought it up to her own and took a drag and handed it back to the brunette.
"Take all the time you need, its not like you've got a room full of people waiting for you or anything..." Mal said, her voice laced with sarcasm. She shrugged lightly and leant against the wall next to the Regina.
Regina rolled her eyes.
Dropping the rest of the cigarette and stubbing it into the ground with the toe of her boot, she looked to the blonde and heaved a steadying breath into the tightness in her chest. "Ready?"
"Ready..." Mal nodded as she pushed off the wall and held the door open for Regina. "Come on your Majesty." A smirk tugged at her lips.
Passing the blonde, Regina shook her head lightly as she stepped through the door and into the small corridor. Her feet felt heavy as she took the several steps that brought her to the next fire door. She glanced back at Mal who was a few steps behind her and tried to project a confident smile.
Mal smirked and took a hold of Regina's waist as she pushed her up against the wall. She inched her face closer, painfully slowly, until Regina's eyes lost focus and she was lost to the feeling of Mal's lips being pressed to her own plump pair. Mal nipped and tugged her bottom lip, teasing her with a preview of what would be instore for her later, distracting her from her crackling nerves. Stepping back, Mal smirked proudly. Regina's heart thundered in her chest and she concentrated on trying to calm it, as Mal opened the door for them both. The door that lead to the room that contained the potential for Regina's success. Or her downfall.
Over the next hour or so Regina worked the floor tremendously and her confidence grew as she mingled with everyone. She schmoozed and flirted with all the patrons and by the end of the night had set up a few deals and sold a few of her pieces. The night was very much a success and Regina Mills had established herself as someone the Art World needed to keep an eye on.
Not bad for her second exhibition.
~()~
Hours later, the brunette found herself sitting in her girlfriend, Mal Draak's apartment. Mal had, a very long time ago been a top flight fashion model whose career flourished for years on the covers of magazines and billboards and even headlined the world's catwalks until it fizzling end. Mal knew the nature of the business and she had cannily wormed her way into the world of fashion magazine publishing where she now worked as Editor for one of the world's leading fashion magazines.
Regina sat on the armless couch across from Mal who was hunched over the glass coffee table snorting lines of cocaine with a freshly rolled hundred dollar bill. The blonde looked up at her girlfriend, blew her a kiss and handed the brunette the makeshift snorting tube. Taking it, Regina inched herself closer toward the white powder. With a quick glance between Mal and today's drug of choice, she hunched over the table and inhaled the two remaining lines in quick succession.
Sweeping her hair off her neck as she brought her head up, she pinched her nose and sniffed loudly. The chemical euphoria raced freely around her body, overtaking her senses and allowing her to mentally push the stress of expectation further and deeper to the back of her mind. She closed her eyes tightly and allowed herself to be swept into oblivion. In that moment Regina didn't care how the lines of self-destruction could impact her later in life. All that mattered to her was the euphoria that swirled through her veins and how it made her feel.. She was going to enjoy the high and the success of the night and her steady rise to fame with its new temptations and spoils.
She glanced at her girlfriend who was now swaying to the music and making her way to the mini bar. Regina pinched her nose again and sniffed hard in attempts to drag any remnants of the powder deeper into her body, enjoying the feel of it circulating inside her. Slowly, she sunk into the couch as her eyes lazily found her girlfriend dancing her way back to her with a bottle of champagne and two glasses.
Mal's face was pulled into a knowing smile. Regina watched mesmerised as she placed the bottle and glasses on the coffee table, and came up closer to straddle her lap. Mal made a show of lowering herself down until their faces were inches apart. Licking her lips slowly, Mal moved in to capture Regina's lips in a bruising kiss. Regina wrapped her arms around her girlfriend and pulled hard as if by sheer force of will she could merge with the other woman. She needed her to be close, wanted to feel her so badly her head swam. Mal's tongue pushed into her mouth and Regina thought they could never be too close. Ever.
~()~
Regina woke to the sound of Mal ranting angrily at someone. Pushing back the covers, she slid out of the bed. Her naked form shivering at the cold as she padded across the wooden floor and out of the bedroom. Mal was sat imperiously on the couch, clutching her cell phone so hard, her fingers were white. This was in complete contrast to the redness of her face as she sat there, fully dressed and in business mode. Trailing her hand across the back of the couch, Regina slid onto the couch next to her girlfriend. Crossing her legs, she listened into Mal's conversation. It seemed by all accounts, Mal was heading to Paris for a few days to clean up a monstrous fuck up in the French office.
When their eyes locked, Regina revelled in the way Mal's gaze slipped slowly down her naked body. Quirking an eyebrow her lover reached out a hand to absently run up and down Regina's olive toned legs. Each time they reached the top, Mal's fingers teased at her, encouraging her to uncross her legs and reveal her sex.
Mal's hand stopped suddenly as her voiced rose in both volume and aggression. It was clear from her tone that she had made the same point numerous times and was now dangerously close to losing her barely maintained control. Regina chose that moment to uncross her legs, hoping to distract her girlfriend from saying something that she could not take back. She shuddered when Mal took the bait and her fingers resumed their exploration. Mal glanced over and smirked as Regina allowed her knees to be nudged open. Wide. Closing her eyes, Regina concentrated on the feeling of fingers creeping painfully slowly up her inner thigh. Inch by inch until they reached her centre. Expertly the digits stroked up and down her core and Regina allowed her head to loll back, moaning wantonly at the pure pleasure of the act. She lost herself completely when the movement between her legs became more urgent, tugging and pulling at her with increasing pressure.
She was close, so close.
Regina opened her eyes sharply when the motion stopped abruptly. She looked to Mal for an explanation, feeling equal parts betrayed and desperate. Mal's attention had slipped back to her phone call and Regina huffed indignantly. If Mal noticed she didn't reward it with a reaction. The blonde's anger had dissipated enough that she was now chuckling at whatever her phone companion was saying. For a brief second Regina considered putting on a show of finishing for herself, but it was clear that Mal's attention was elsewhere and the moment had passed. She closed her legs and swept her left leg over her right, listening intently as the phone conversation started to become heated once more. Deciding to leave Mal to her work, she moved to stand. A firm hand on her chest stopped the motion. She stared at Mal in confusion which quickly morphed into surprise as the hand moved from her chest to reach for the small glass trinket box in the middle of the coffee table. Mal retrieved a small bag from inside and flipped the lid close. Waving the bag in the air and gesturing wildly, Mal replied sharply into the phone before glancing back to Regina. A malevolent smirk crossed her face as she nudged open the brunette's legs once more. Cradling the phone awkwardly between her ear and her shoulder, Mall licked her index finger and dipped it into the bag. When she removed it, it was covered with white powder, she looked proudly at her finger and then back to Regina.
"You're boring me, Chloe. I'm going to eat breakfast now." Mal winked at Regina. "Tell Thierry I'll be there by tonight. I expect him in the office with the others tomorrow morning eight a.m. sharp. I'm going to fix his fucking mess and then fire all their arses." Mal moved closer to Regina and ran her cocaine dipped finger up and down Regina's centre before licking her finger clean. She rubbed her gum frivolously " Yes, Chloe. Tonight about Ten Thirty, be sure to have a car waiting for me at the airport." Mal moved off the couch and placed herself between Regina's legs. "Chloe stop talking.. Regina is waiting for me to lick her clean." She chuckled into the phone. "Au revoir." And with that, Mal ended her phone call and tossed the device on to the couch as she looked at Regina with hungry eyes. "Now for breakfast..."
~()~
With Mal away in Paris, Regina occupied her time with her work. She had nothing pressing but enough to keep her going until the blonde returned in a few days' time. She'd been working solidly until mid-afternoon and was in need a well-earned break.
Glancing around her apartment that was bought by her parents when she started university, she was starting to feel like she'd out grown it and especially now as it doubled as her working studio it was definitely becoming a little cramped. With her career on the rise, Regina realised it was time for a bigger place with studio space. Grabbing the newspaper that was on her small dining room table, she headed to the couch to start her search for a new apartment.
Flipping the pages of the newspaper, she found the Real Estate pages. Picking up her red marker, she twiddled it in her fingers as her eyes roamed the classifieds. Nothing of interest on the first two pages. Thumbing the page over, she scanned the page and circled a few potential places and grabbed her phone. Making the calls and crossing out a couple, she continued to look through the adverts, but there was nothing. Her search for a new work space would be on hold for now.
Throwing her pen onto the coffee table, she moved over to her work space and glanced over her latest photographs and started organising them into some sort of fashion. They were for her next exhibition which wouldn't be until the summer of next year and to be honest she wasn't entirely happy with the content thus far. Picking up the prints, she threw them into the waste paper bin.
She was starting again.
Looking to her camera which was at the end of the bench, she picked it up and looked at it and then to the discarded prints. A small plastic baggie caught her eye in the bin. Groaning to herself, she ran her fingers through her hair and then stroked her chin. She placed the camera back down and grabbed her black leather jacket hanging over the back of the breakfast stool. She was going out. and she had only one destination in mind.
Reaching the street level, she fastened the jacket up and pulled out the red silk scarf from the deep pocket and wrapped it tightly around her neck. The winter wind was howling furiously around her as she walked to the end of the street and disappeared into the subway station.
Four stops later, she re-emerged from a subway station. She stood on the sidewalk, deciding which way to go next. She kind of knew this neighbourhood, well to be honest, knew someone that used to live around here. She wondered if perhaps they still did. She gathered her bearings and crossed the street and carried on for another couple of blocks and turned a corner. Making her way down the street, she stopped outside a four storey tenement building and walked up the concrete stairs to the front door. Glancing at the buzzer system, her eyes skimmed over the names until she found the one she was after. Pressing the button beside the name, she stepped back and looked up to the fourth floor window. A dim light turned on. She stepped closer to the intercom.
A voice spoke through the crude speaker. "Hello?"
She pushed the button and spoke. "Jefferson, its Regina Mills..."
"Sorry lady, don't know any Sabrina Wills..."
Regina frowned. "No, Regina Mills.." she released the button.
After a delayed moment or two, the voice spoke through the speaker again. "Nup, not ringing any bells.."
Regina rolled her eyes and pushed the button again. "Jefferson, open the god damn door or..."
Jefferson laughed through the speaker. "Or what your Majesty, you'll rip out my heart..."
The brunette rolled her eyes to herself as a second later the door buzzed and the latch clicked. Pushing against the door, Regina let herself in. Walking up the four storeys, she stopped on the landing to catch her breath. A door at the end of the corridor popped open slightly and Regina took that as her invitation to come in. As she got nearer the dulcet tones of Jethro Tull 'The Whistler' filtered through the air.
Pushing the door wider, Regina walked into the apartment and shut the door behind her. Jefferson appeared out of nowhere with two drinks in hand and a smile on his face.
"Reggie, fucking long time girl.."
"Jefferson.." Regina muttered as a beer was thrusted in her direction. She slipped off her jacket as she followed Jefferson into the lounge area of the apartment. He ushered his sleeping cat off one end of the couch and turned to the brunette. "Come sit. And what do I owe the pleasure?"
As Regina sat down, she spoke. "I was in the neighbourhood, so I ..."
"Thought you'd drop by for a cup of tea and a chat..." Jefferson smirked.
Regina shrugged "Something like that." she brought the bottle of beer to her lips and took a sip before glancing back at Jefferson who was distracted by his cat who had made its self at home on his lap.
"Well Reggie my dear, you're in the right place." He shooed the cat off his lap and stood up. "One minute, let me pop the kettle on." He smirked as he disappeared into a room that led off the lounge.
Regina glanced around the apartment and looked to the cat who was busily kneading the fabric cushion before it walked in a tight circle and sat down eloquently and fell asleep. Moments later, Jefferson appeared holding a vintage wooden tea caddy.
"Word on the street is that you're chasing the dragon in more than one way.." Jefferson said as he sat down next to Regina and glanced at her.
"Really? Listening to idle gossip now Jefferson. How common of you..." Regina smirked.
Jefferson let out an over exaggerated gasp. "Me? Never!"
"Good, I'd hate to think of you turning into an old gossiping hen, dear."
Jefferson laughed as he opened the doors of the tea caddy and swept his hand across it. "Pick your flavour..."
Regina leant closer and inspected the small wooden drawers. Each labelled a different colour. She tapped on the second drawer.
Jefferson nodded and opened a compartment on the side, revealing a rolled dollar bill. Handing it to the brunette, he opened the drawer and pulled out a small bag of white powder.
"Now, I must warn you Reggie, this is stronger than what you are used to with the dragon, go easy or you'll be seeing more than little white rabbits in waistcoats." He smirked.
"Seems you are just an old hen, my dear.." Regina muttered as she handed over a small wad of crisp dollar bills.
Counting the money, Jefferson looked at Regina. "You can crash here tonight; I'd hate to think of your Majesty roaming the streets in an undignified manner."
"Thanks Jefferson." Regina muttered as she prepared the lines of cocaine.
"Speaking of the dragon, where is she?" Jefferson asked, closing the tea caddy.
"Paris. Fucking Chloe no doubt." Regina snarled as she leant down and sniffed up the first line. Pinching her nose, she threw her head back as her eyes went wide. "What the fuck is that called?"
"White Rabbit." Jefferson said as he closed the tea caddy up and pushed it aside.
"Did I ever tell you how I loved white rabbits.." Regina murmured as she sunk into the couch and closed her eyes.
"No, but I think I'm going to find out..." Jefferson said as he leant forward and followed Regina's lead.
A/N - So y'all know what to do if you like the look of this little ditty. ~ 50sPUGirl
